Safety oil saver



June 9, 1931. w. A. LOOMIS 1,809,175

SAFETY OIL SAVER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 14, 1927 I. c? o M 3INVENTOR.

Wa.| ter A. Loomig A TTORNE Y.

June 9, 1931. w. A. LOOMIS 1,809,175

SAFETY OIL SAVER Filed July 14, 1927 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WaiterA.Loonu5 A TTORNE Y.

June 9,- 1931.

W. A. LOOMIS.

SAFETY 011, SAVER Filed July 14, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 WC F g 7.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented June-.9 1931 1 g *rriEY; "srafrs s a WALTER A'LooMIsorWHITTIER, cAtI ronmA I I 1 rnr 'i mfssvim Application mea iu y i i,iez'w'i' ser ai no. 205,757. x As may be inferred fromtheabove title,bodiment'of my invention takenzin connecthis invention relates to aunit,su1table for tion- :W1l3l1"tl1(5 appended claims andaccominstallation at the-mouth offano l well, panying draw ngs,in.which:-- w 7 designed primarily to obviate or'minnnlze Figure 1- 'isforthe most part, a substan- 5 the escape and waste of oil, eitherduring tially central vertical section, with partstheelevation of acable (or its equivalent) broken away to a lesser depth, and an oporsubsequently to the withdrawal or ejectionalifiangeelement beingshown. tion of a swab or drillin'gor other tools from Fig; 2 is anelevational detail view :sepaawell. i rately showing asingle'vane,closelywsimi- 1 As is well known to workers in this art, lar to those inFig. .1. 60

everyupward withdrawal of a cable or a i Fig. 3 "is ahor1zontal section,taken-sub,- pipestring, involving what -has commonly stantially asindicated byfthe line 33 of been referred to as a fwet job, has hereto-Fig. Qwith optional parts added. Kifore ordinarily resulted in aslopping of oil V Fig. 4 is a detail view,. comparable with 15 overequipment and workmen; Frequently Fig. 3, as toscaleybut'takensubstantially 65 a serious accident as well as wastageofoil as indicated by the line ofFig.;1. i is caused. When a high-pressurereservoir Fig.5 is a detail ,view, taken substantially of oil or gas isencountered entire tool as indicatedby the line. 5- 5 ofFig. 1,-andstrings are occasionally ejected in a violent shot'vin'g optionalfeatures. 1 Z -manner. The subsequent loss of oil, even -.Fig. :6 is'avertical section showing how 7 when no fire occurs, may far exceed, ineco-v :need for a separate fia'nge element of; the nomic importance, theresultant damage to type-shown ,inFig. lmay be obviatedzby an equipment.It 1s accordingly an: object of alternative construction. v

my invention to provide for the installa-v Figs. 7a and7b arerespectively partial tion' of an'oil saver at'the top of anoil wellverticalsections'taken in (lifierent diametral 7 v -so that, operationssuchas swabbing,fishing, planes, to show features of an additionaldrilling or thelike maybe conducted therealternative rem in which.vanes" are. 1.dethrough, while'parts are normally in conpendently:pivoted fromdeilectors a'cast tact with a cable, drill string or thelike, with upper deflectorbeing adapted to serveuasa parts so shaped andsupported as to be. pretop closure. element and a. castbottonrsudisposed toward an inner position, and with closure element .beingadapted to serve sevparts which are adapted to serve asivanes eraldistinctj purposes hereinafter menr disposed to be forced inward by anescaping tion'ed, (and on'evane ofan upper set being stream of oil orgas, to prevent a'substantial shown as outwardly displaced). a 1 escapeof oil aboutfa: cable or pipe string :Referring to the .detailsofthatspecific' 5 or subsequently to the removal of such a embodimentof-my inventionchosen for purcable or string, the structure alsopermitting poses of illustration, 1'1. being a so-called a quick removalof tools without violent disswagednipple, sliownas externally threadedturbance or ejection of oil. i a I i :at its lower 'end, suitable foritsattachment,

Other objects of my'invention, including by an ordinary or specialcoupling, to the so the provision of a housing which is permaupper endof pipe string,or to any control nently secured to an attachmentnippleand fitting employed at the top of a wellgThis is provided with one ormore outlets at a nipple is :sho'wnasextendingthrough and low level, andincluding also the provision as. adapted to support'a bottom plate 120iof a removable inner organization comprisa cylindrical shell or housing13. This'shell 95 ing not only the mentionedvanes, or sets of :orhousingis provided with. one or more outvanes,.but. also a downwardlyconcaved anlet openings, 14, 11 i for; oil or the-like,said nulardeflector, or a plurality of suchfde openings being shown asprovidediwith elflectors, may bebest';appreciatedlfromlthe bows,15,-15.to, which any suitably valved following desc ip i n of an il u tive m-P pe m yib s 'n w sdia bene tha pn through a corresponding flange of theshell 13. A

gasket 21 is preferably interposed between the element 16 and the flange20. Within thehousing 13, I show a pluralityof downwardly concavedannular deflectors 22, 22 supported by removable positioningmeans'in theform of a frame comprising three substantially upright rods or legs 23.The lower and outwardly bent portions 23 of these rods or legs are shownas secured to a spreader 24, surrounding the inner and smaller end 11'of the attachment nipple 11; The upper ends of said rods are secured to.the top closure element 16, to

facilitate handling of the'entire interior organization comprising saidrods as a unit. I .The lower deflector 22 is shown as rigidly secured tothe rods 23 by bolts or rivets 25, extending through said rods andthrough suitably spaced lugs 26, positioned at the sides of slots 27 Iconstruction, comprising bolts or rivets 25, and lugs 26 disposed at thesides of slots 27, in securing the upper deflector .22 in itsillustrated positions For the aforementioned stripping effect and forthe purpose of directing-an upward'stream of oil or the like, ple 11,outward toward the mentioned deflectors (one or any desired numberthereof being provided, according to conditions encountered oranticipated), I may employ any suitable'number of sets of movable vanes28,28 biased toward an inner position.

Both the lower set of vanes 28 and the upper set of vanes 28 are shownas pivotally supported at the lower ends thereof and as inwardlyoverbalanced. The vanes of the lower set are to suitable intermediatearms 30, provided upon the spreader 24. The upper set of vanes 28arepivotally connected by pins 29 with upwardly extending bearing bossesv30, shown as cast integrally with the lower annular deflector 22.

Each of the vanes 28-28 are shown as provided with a rearwardlyextending stop arm 31, adapted to engage the housing 13, or itsequivalent, to so limit the outward movement of said vanes that theyshall always tend to fall inward, under the action of gravity and, intoengagement with any cable, rod or the like (C') thatmay verticallyextend through the aligned nipples 11 and 17. It will be understoodthat, when I emportions 34,

of the attachment nipple 11. understood that the length of curvature of7 may employ a similar delivered through the attachment nip-,

pivotally connected by pins 29 of vanes 28, 28, with or without ploythree of the rods or legs 23, or equiva-' lent elements adapted toposition and support the aforementioned deflectors and/or vanes, Iemploy a corresponding number of said vanes, in each set, the said vanesbeing not only inwardly overbalanced, in the indicated manner, butprovided with comparatively sharp and radially. disposed edges 32, sopositioned as to be encountered by and to divide any upward stream ofoil. This acts to deliver the same toward rounded rear or outwardlydisposed surfaces 33 of expanded shown as adapted to contact with therespective deflectors 22, 22 and to direct the stream of oil thereto.The impact of the oil against the surfaces 33 is effective to force andhold thevanes 28, 28 in an innermost position, at which time the centralcylindrical areas 35 thereof may snugly fit around and conform 'to acable, or the like, for a stripping effect. It is evident that any fluidpressure helps to hold the vanes inward.

In the case of the illustrated vanes the lower portions thereof areshown so formed as to clear ihetop of an inwardly beveled upper edge 18of the reducedsection 11 It will be each of the cylindrical areas 35'mayamount to 120, the spread at the top of portions 33 being onlysuificiently less to enable the vanes to interfit between the legs 23.In order that the vanes 28, 28 may serve guides and neverthelessautomatically yield outwardly to allow an ascending or a de scendingbody to pass therebetween, I may provide thereon centering ortool-contacting areas such as are shown at 36 and 37. respectively belowand above the tacting cylindrical area 35. Although substantially radialfaces provided at 38 might satisfactorily limit the inwarn movement ofthe described vanes, I prefer to provide for a slight overlapping at 39;and the respective deflectors 22, 22 may, in turn, be provided withcentering lugs 40, unless 22 is shaped to fit 13.

Parts which are to remain permanently connected may be welded together,if desired as indicated at IV. The spreader 24, or its equivalent, mayinclude a connecting cable-conlit) band which is provided with a conicalsurface at 41, to facilitate the positioning of the same on the nipple11, after-the latter, 1'

with the casing or its position of use.

It will be understood that operations such as the deepening or theswabbing of an oil well, or the like, may be carried on directly throughthe described unit; and that oil obtained in swabbing may be carriedaway, with very little loss through the outlet or outlets 14, 14. Ifdesired one or more sets a correhousing 13, is placed in spending numberof deflectors 22,:22femay be 1 used to strip oil fromianyi cableorstring or (either rod or pipe extending through the. nipples 11 and17. vIn passing upward fromthe nipple ,11 beside a cable or pipe string ortools or after the latter are removed) any forcibly ejected fluid: wouldbe largely caught and downwardlydelivered even if the described vaneswereomitted. I nevertheless find that the conjoint-.use;of the describedvanes and deflectors is highly ad.- vantageous as only aflvery small andeasily controllable quantity ofoil may escape by passing'two sets ofvanes and twoldeflectors constructed and arranged 'in 'the describedmanner. Even a violentlyflowing well-may be controlled by myidescribedmeansand methods, with a minimum loss and minimumrisk of fire oraccident} Upon the securingof a suitable cap or plug, not shown,

upon or in the-nipple-17 it will be obvious v that flow may be entirelyrestricted to one wear-resistant substance or substances, im-

also be understood that, tosecure one of or more of the outlets 14,14-controll'a-ble by any desired valves, or by a Christmas treearrangement including flow nipples. The interior parts of the device,whether used conjointly or separately, may be formed of, orcoated with,any suitable material to my present inventiorn a coating of stellitebeing suitable to extreme conditions and within a steel housing orreceptacle 13 I may use bronze vanes.

It is desirable for the purpose of re ducing weight that. I design thestop arms 31 with a V-shaped cross-section so that the vanes. 28, 28 mayyield easily whenever 'pressedjoutward by any tool, or the like,

passing therebetween; It should be understood-that the strength, formand positions of the rods 23 adapt these elements to serve not only toconnect and "support the parts but also to guide any tool, or thelike,so as :to'obviate risk of damage to the/described vanes or to any otherinteriorparts. To facllitate lnstallation and removal of a unit of thedescribed general character some or all of the bolts 19, or any otherdesired parts may be providedvwith suitable eyes E, to two or more ofwhich a rope (not shown) may be secured for engagement by any hoistinghook, or the likeyand it should my units in its position of use, I mayutilize any suitable externally threaded nipple and/or an integral orseparate flange element 42 of any'usual or preferred character. Althoughmy units arebeing constructed in various sizes, it is not necessary toprovide a different-sized unit for use with each size of pipe or controlorgan zationabove which the same may be set. To obviate this, I takeadvantage of the fact 'th at one common type of control head providedwith a funnell-I-n'vie'w of the factthat a crown block (not shown) orother elementover Wll-lCll the cable C, or'its equivalent, may run isnot certain to be in exact vertical alignment with the nipples 11 and17, I may employany 'y desired guide means forsaid cable,.to avoidlateral displacement of vanes 28. Irmay use, for example, a split plugcomprising sections 47 and providing a suitable central passage 48. Thisplug may-be formed of wood and may be finally put in position by hand sothatit may be knocked out when hit by ascending tools ,but it is withinthe scope of myinvention to provide this guide element with unifyingmeans such ,as.,.clips 49 (Fig.1) and/or a funnel-like upward te-rstructure, if used at all, will be mainly, in

connection with any embodiments of my'invention in which provision ismade for oil. v

Inner guide sections 51, 51,

unit is provided withv a removable section secured together by matingflanges 55,- 56.

This construction will enable my oil "saver not only to be appliedlaterally about adrill cable, when a tgusher is about to be extension ofany desired character; The'latbreaking out a string of pipe containingbrought in, but to be similarly employed,

when desired, about a string of tubing full.

of oil, in order that as the latter is broken? into sections or stands?(wrenches being appliedabove the top of any funnel-like extension thenprovided at 57, and the inner guide sections 51, 51 being omitted) thatoil which wouldyotherwise spillover the deck andbe wasted may be carriedoff through outlets 14,14.

1 Nothing said above should obscure the fact that the illustrateddesigns of my safety 'oil'saver are intended primarily for use inconnection with so-called cable tools and The descent of a bailer to thebot-' baile'rs. tom of a well in which gas'may have accumulated below'abody of rather heavy oil 7 often upsets an unstableequilibrium; but nodamage can result from a consequent sudden gushof oil and/orgas in casethe bailing is regularly dene through one of my described units. Theinterior organization of the oil saver being effective to preventsubstantially waste of oil or gas eitheraboutthe cable or enabled toassure a quiet controlled removal of drilltools under adverse conditionssuch as have heretofore often resulted 1n disastrous and a violente]ection of the tools, folv lowed or accompanied by anuncontrolled andthe plate 12?) overflow of oil.

Unless for exceptional uses, I donot consider it important to providefor actual con tact between the rounded top of the upper annulardeflector :22 and the inner surface of the top closure 16, nor necessaryto provide a fluid-tight fit in the regions of their contact with rods23. It is an important advantage of my invention that,by proceeding inthe generalmanner above described, a valve or valves 58, 58 being soadjusted as to maintain a desired and a considerable pressure untiltools or a bailer 59 (rising at about the same rate as the oil) come tothe top of the well, preferably then opening the valveor valves58, 58somewhat wider, I provide for the withdrawal or ejection thereof at acontrolled rate and for animmediate and automatic inward movement of'thevanes 28, 28 behind the same. Further flow may then be controlled by thevalve or valves 58, '58, or by any suitable main valve (not shown)provided in that control organization which I diagrammatically representby a conical body 60, inte- 'ral with the mentioned flange 43. It willbe obvious that, the withdrawal of the cable C, or its equivalent,having thus rendered it possible completely to close the mentioned mainvalve, instead of directing subsequent flow through the described unit Imay remove the same for use elsewhere and substitute an oreinaryorspecial flow nipple, or the like,not shown and immaterial to my presentinvention.

In Fig. 6 I suggest the use of a bottom plate 12?; (through whichextends a swaged nipple 11) serving directly as a flange element; and,to adapt it to use with so-called T. B. heads 60?) of varioussizes, Imay provide it with a plurality of sets of bolt or screw-receiving holes4%. 1 gasket 16?) is interposed between the flange of head 60b sotthatno plugs are then necessary. 1

In Figs. 7a and 75 I show an alternative form of construction in which alower set of vanes 280 and an upper set of vanes 28c", identical ingeneral form, are pivoted respectively to deflectors 22c and 220,thelatter serving not only as a top closure element but as an upper nipple170.

Between the upper deflector 22c and a special bottom casting 120, withwhich a lower nipple 110 may be integral, Ishow a shell 130 as retainedby comparatively long bolts 190. An interior frame or guide ele ment 230may be secured by bolts or rivets 250 so as to be removable with thementioned upper deflector or top closure element 220.

' In this form of my invention I propose to use four, rather than three,of the guide or frame elements 230. It will accordingly be understoodthat Fig. 7a, in which no vanes 280 are shown, is taken in a plane at anangle of about 45 with the plane in which Fig. 7 b is taken.

To guide and steady the frame elements 230, during and after assembly,the mentioned bottom casting 120 may be provided with a correspondingnumber of wells 61c, adapted to receive the same, and, as in thatembodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 6, the, bottom casting120 may be adapted to serve also as a flange for the attachment of thisoil-saver to, a so-called T. B. head 600, as by means of screws 620. Anidentical or a different set of threaded sockets 630 (shown as so formedas to obviate all risk of leakage therethrough) may be used to securethis oil-saver to T. B. or other heads of various sizes, as, forexample,to a head corresponding in diameter to the distance betweendotted lines 640, 640. The casting 120, shown as providing an upwardlydisposed annularconcavity for the reception of oil, or the like, may beprovided also with any desired number of outlet openings 14:0 and withan interior thread T by which it may be a tached directly to a casing orthe like. I especially emphasize in connection with this embodiment ofmy .invention, the use of dependent or inwardly biased vanes,each beingshown as provided with a weight-carrying arm 65o, movable to and from aconcavity beneath one of the mentioned deflectors and tending to holdsaid vanes in yieldable mutual engagement, or in engagement with anycable, or the like, centrally disposed therebetween.

Assuming that four of the frame or guide elements 230 are provided, itwill be understood that the spread of the respective expanded portions340, and the curvature of the respective cylindrical portions350 may, ineach case, amount to 90; and that the respective faces 380 may restiii-radial planes when in mutual contact. Due to the fact that-therespective vanes are comparatively light and freely movable upon pivotpins 290, carried by dependent lugs 300, the range of movement thereofmay be limited in any suitable way,as by providing downward extensions660 with specially-shaped ends 67 0, adapted alternatively to engage theshell 130 (when forced outward during the introduction or withdrawal oftools or the like) or to engage the nipple 110 (in the case of the lowerset of vanes) or suitable stop v force-of'any fluids acting against thedeflecting surfaces 33. The members 23will guide the tool downwardly,and as the vanes swing to the limit of their outward movement, as.

determined by the stops 31, the tool will pass on downwardly swingingthe vanes 28 outwardly. After any enlarged portions of the drill stringor tool have passed the vanes,

it is evident that the vanes will close-in,

around the cable or other portions of reduced diameter, and Wlll providean eflec- 'tive barrier against the great portion of escaping fluid.When the drill string or other piece of equipment is to be removed, a"reverse operation takes place. The vaneswill swing outwardly toaccommodate the diameters of the parts passing therebetween, and

'will automatically close in to contract the opening through which thetool passed and to more effectively divert fluids outwardly from thedirection of travel of the vertical stream, to entrap the fluid andpermit it to be carried away under control.

It will thus be seen that the structure here disclosed provides meansfor entrapping a stream of oil passing therethrough, to divert it fromits longitudinal path of travel and to permit it to be drawn oil undersubstantial control, and it will further be evident that means are hereprovided to automatically act to permit the passage of cables, drillstrings, or other tools, through the chamber in which the oil is trappedwithout .permitting the escape of any material amount of the fluids, andwhile insuring that oil will be stripped from the cables and tools asthey are withdrawnfrom the well.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention as now known to'me,it will be understood that various changes may be 7 made in thecombination, construction and arrangement of parts ofthose skilled inthe art,.without-departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.5

I claim as my invention:

1. In an oil saver: a substantially tight housing provided with an oiloutlet opening and with additional openings through which a cable maypass; outwardly yieldable means, within said housing, for stripping oilfrom said cable; and a pluralityof downwardly concave annular deflectorsspaced apart'in said housing and each provided with a central opening.

g 2'. In an oil saver: a substantially tight housing provided with anoil. outleti'opening andiwith additional openings through which a cablemay pass; outwardly yieldable means, within said housing, for strippingoil from said cable, and a plurality of downwardly concave annulardeflectors spaced apart in said'housing and each provided with acentralopening, -said deflectors being supported by removable frame elementswhich extend therethrough.

said receptacle,said stripping means being inwardly biased, saidstripping means being supported in said biased position by meins ofpivotal supports near their lower en s.

4. In an oil saving organization: a receptacle provided with a bottomopening and a top opening, through which a cable may pass, and with anoutlet; and means to check the escape of. hydrocarbons through said-topopening,said means comprising pivotal vanes interposed betweendeflectors which are supported by guide elements.

5. In an oil saving organization: a receptacle provided with a bottomopening and atop opening, through which a cable may pass, and with anoutlet; and means to check the escape of hydrocarbons through said topopenings-,-said meanscomprising pivotal vanes interposed betweendeflectors which are supported by guide elements constituting' aninterior frame.

6. An oil saver comprising; an enclosing wall including annular top andbottom members; and a set of vanes oscillatable within said enclosingwall upon pivots in their lower ends and sodisposed asto beover-balanced to swing by gravity toward a common vertical center. v

7. An oil saver adaptedto be positioned over the open end. of the casingof'an oil well and through which a stream of oil may flow-upwardly fromthe mouth of said casing, comprising a housing and a deflector ingmember", said deflector having a concaved under-face against which thediverted portion of oil will strike andbe directed in a downward flow,and an inverted coneshaped member disposed beneath the opening in saiddeflector to' direct the stream of oil against the concave face of thedeflector.

8.' An oil saver adapted to be disposed over the mouth of an oil wellcasing and upwardly through which oil' may be. projected, comprising ahousing having an opening in its lower end in communication with saidcasing and an opening in its upper end and a plurality of deflectorplates disposed in parallel spaced relation to each other within thehousing and positioned in the path of travel of the upwardly moving oil,said deflector plates having central openbeing formed with an annularconcaved face concentric withthe central opening there-.

through to divert the oil from its lineal path of travel, and segmentalinverted coneshaped vanes disposed beneath the deflector plates andbeing yieldably held in their assembled conditions to temporarilyobstruct the flow of oil in its lineal travel and to divert it into theannular concavities of the deflector plates while permitting saiddeflector segments to move outwardly and. allow a lineallyextendingymember to 'pass therebetween. u i

9. An oil saver adapted to be disposed over the mouth of an oil wellcasing'and upwardly through which oilmay be projected, comprising ahousing having an opening in its lower end in communication with saidcasing and an opening in its upper end and a plurality of deflectorplates disposed in parallel spaced relation to each other within thehousing and positioned in the path of travel of the upwardly moving oil,said deflector plates having central openings in longitudinal alignmentwith the upper and lower openings of the 7 housing, and being formedwith an annular concaved face concentric with the central openingtherethrough to divert the oil from its lineal path of travel, segmentalinverted cone-shaped deflectors disposed beneath the deflector platesand being yieldably held in their assembled conditions to temporarily jobstruct the flow of oil in'its linealtravel and to divert it into theannular concavities of the deflector plates while permitting saiddeflector segments to move outwardly and allow a lineally extendingmember to pass 'therebetween, and means whereby said segmentaldeflectors will tend to move to their innermost positions by ravity.

10. An oil saver adapted to be disposed over the mouth of an oil wellcasing and upwardly through which oil may be projected, comprising ahousin'g'ha'ving an opening in its lower end in communication with saidcasing and an opening inits upper end allow a lineally extending memberto pass therebetween, means whereby said segmental deflectors will tendto move vto their innermost positions by gravity, and means fordiverting the upwardly flowing stream of fluids from its lineal path oftravel to the outer faces of the segmental deflectors to tend-to holdsaid deflectors in their innermost positions.

'11. An oil saver comprising a cylindrical receptacle adapted to becentrally aligned with the mouth of a well, apertured closures at eachend of said receptacle, drains in the lower portion of said receptacle,a vertically extending frame within said receptacle, segmental vanes,pivoted to said frame and a transversely extending deflector supportedby said frame. i

12; In a fluid saver comprising a receiving receptacle,,having aplurality of suitably disposed outlets, a fluid reversal organizationcomprising a plurality of segments in pivotal relation with one another,a concaved deflector transversely of saidreceptacle, the inner wall ofwhich forms a practical stream line with the exterior walls of segments.i 13. In a fluid saver comprising a receiving receptacle having aplurality of suitably disposed outlets, a fluid reversal organizationcomprising inverted segmental cones in the medial horizontal line ofsaid 'receptacle, said segments being pivoted near their lower extremityand rearwardly of' their normal biased position, and a plural-- ity oftransversely extending concave deflectors sopositioned that the exteriorof the inverted cones forms a stream line with the interior wall of thedeflectors, to the end that the fluid reversal organization formspractically an unbroken contour extending from an upwardly inclineddirec- I aflixed my signature.

, WALTER A. moms.

and a plurality of deflector plates disposed in parallel spaced relationto each other within the housing and positioned in'the path of travelofthe upwardly moving oil,

said deflector plates having central openings in longitudinal alignmentwith the upper and lower openings of the housing, and being formed withan annular concaved face concentric with thecentral opening therethroughto divert the oil from its lineal path of travel, segmental invertedcone-shaped deflectors disposed beneath the deflector plates and beingyieldably, held in their assembled conditions to temporarily obstructthe flow of oil in its lineal travel and to divert it into the annularconcavities of the deflector plates while permitting said deflectorsegments to move outwardly and

